For Liberty Alone

I'm writing a fiction novel loosely based on facts I have gathered about an episode in my family's history; one which made some ashamed and some proud.
Followers and commenters on this blog will help me decide whether to open our closet and release the skeletons previously locked inside.

Friday, August 06, 2010

The year is 1953. The mood in Scotland is changing. Nationalist calls for independence are being reinforced by acts of daring, plots to blow up ERII pillar-boxes.All topped by the most ambitious rebellion of all.

Treason.

But was it really treason? Or was it, as the accused themselves claimed in their defence, an elaborate hoax to uncover the use by Scottish police of agent provocateurs to inflame the hot-blooded nationalists into dangerous and reckless acts of violence against the status quo.

For Liberty Alone tells the true story of four young nationalists accused of treason, who endured a roller coaster 12 months from arrest, through trial to imprisonment and their eventual and ironic release by Royal Pardon.

The trial at Edinburgh High Court in front of Lord Clyde lasted seven days and saw Scotland’s leading lights in the legal world battle it out to the stunning conclusion.

A fascinated jury of eight men and seven women believed an impassioned defence team and the men were not guilty of treason. But the prosecution scored victory too, and the men were ultimately sentenced to 12 months in HMP Saughton in Edinburgh.

Scotland and her faithful nationalist supporters refused to take the verdict lying down. Protests, led by Edinburgh University activist Douglas Henderson and backed by such vociferous characters as Sir Compton Mackenzie and Wendy Wood, saw the nation put pressure on Parliament.

More acts against the state followed and increased pressure on the Government from MPs to release the young men from prison. Ironically, a Royal Pardon from the very Queen against whom the men had protested, secured their early release.

For Liberty Alone – the inscription on the medals uniquely struck for the four men by the nationalist movement – is an intriguing tale of passion and politics, truth and lies, at the very heart of Scotland’s history.

Thursday, August 05, 2010

I've been researching and planning (procrastinating) a novel about an episode in my family's history that changed their lives forever. It's an episode that also influenced political history and made a legal impact in more ways than one. It involved some of Scotland's most famous Nationalists, such as Wendy Wood, and authors, such as Compton Mackenzie.

It brought shame on my family at the time, but pride to the nationalist movement in the 1950s and contributed - without a doubt - to the increase of pride in political history and desire for independence that drove the Scottish National Party in the very early days.

I happened to mention to Tim Barlow (@timbarlow) of Attacat that I was writing this, I explained my challenges (lack of resources) and he had a brainwave; why not post the book online and allow pre-orders, so when the income reached a point that would sensibly allow me to dedicate serious time to this I could do so.

I wasn't so sure. It sounded like a great idea, but ...

And then, suddenly, I had no choice. Tim tweeted that he was looking forward to pre-ordering my book on Friday (this a mere two days after our conversation) and suddenly there was an interest, an interest that I couldn't (in all sincerity and even if I really wanted to) ignore.

So my journey starts here. I will post the synopsis of the novel and if you're interested - and tell me so - I will post the first chapter.

Looking forward to seeing where this particular chapter in my writing career takes me.

Pre-Order Now!

Order your copy now to encourage me! You'll be the first to receive it, and of course it will be signed. The first 100 to order hardback copies will receive an invite to the launch party.

When will you receive your book? I honestly don't know but I make this pledge: If you don't receive it by 1st August 2012 (hardback), I'll not only refund you in full but I'll make a donation to charity that equates to the total value of all orders. That way I have to write it!